Messages are welcome on any subject relating to Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve; the surrounding area of St George and Crews Hole or any of Bristol's Parks and Green Spaces.
Friends of Troopers Hill Forum - www.friends-forum.org.uk
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 15) |
| Author | Comment |
Jen & Ben
 Feb 4, 07 - 3:20 PM |
Troopers Hill entrance arch
Hi all, Ben and I have been getting all arty-farty thinking about an archway to welcome visitors to the hill (see Green Flag requirements!). We have looked around the net for inspiration and have come up with the idea of a black metal archway with copper details (to signify the specific industrial use of the area) of relevant animals and plants (because it is now a nature reserve). Have a look at Friends of Berryhill Fields for a similar idea, although we envisage something a little more sophisticated! Please let us know what you think of looking into this for Troopers Hill. Before you ask, no, we haven't looked into costs yet. We didn't want to spoil the excitement too soon! 
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Roger
Feb 4th, 2007 - 5:16 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I really don't like it, horrid, scary and gothic. Not at all welcoming. |
Rob
Feb 4th, 2007 - 5:45 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I think an entrance arch is a good idea, in fact I think we should have two - one at Greendown and one at the entrance from the field. The design would need a lot of thinking about to get something that would fit in, a link to the copper industry is a good idea. I think that if we were able to make the design of the arch part of a project, perhaps with a school, then we should be able to get a grant from somewhere to cover the cost. |
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Roger
Feb 4th, 2007 - 6:09 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I would oppose the planning application for any arch looking remotely like the one suggested. |
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Jen & Ben
Feb 4th, 2007 - 6:32 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Just for the record, we don't like the one they had either. We envisage something a bit more like this metal railing with copper detail or another idea could be this longship screen. You can see that we thought something a little more delicate and less primary school would work better.  Obviously the design would take a lot of thinking about with a lot of people involved and don't think I'm suggesting we put helmets on it - these are just ideas for the feel, whereas my initial suggestion showed how other people had made the idea work for them. |
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Susan
Feb 4th, 2007 - 9:35 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Right at the start of when Friends of Troopers Hill were set up we wanted a way to point people to Troopers Hill from Troopers Hill Field. We wanted some kind of focal poin because it is not obvious, if you don't know, that there is a fantastic hill, views, a couple of listed chimneys, etc etc on the other side of the Field. An arch was discussed then and kind of petered out under the pressure of loads of other stuff and nobody picking it up and running with it. When the fence went up in Troopers Hill Field I did briefly suggest a painted mural on it that would point the way e.g. big butterflies, chimneys and stuff in silhouette and a big arrow. But that was very disliked (or I am a lousy saleswoman) by a few Malvern Rd residents that I talked to. I am very pro the idea of a welcoming attractive entrance from Troopers Hill Field and one from Greendown. Not even necessarily an arch - totem poles maybe? or anything else imaginative and striking that people can live with. Yes, it will need a lot of work to come up with a design and get buy in not only from FOTH members but residents of Greendown, Malvern Rd, Summerhill Terrace and regular users of the site. Then there's the little matter of getting the grant BUT I would be delighted for us to go for it. How does everyone feel about Jen and Ben having a bit of a think and then a 10 minute slot in the next agenda for them to give thoughts so far and see what the audience there think? Then agree the next set of actions. J and B, you might find the quiz night good for networking with other groups to find out if they have done anything like this. The best way to get a grant is as some kind of community project - Sally would be a good person to talk to about schools/community projects. Roy, by the way is a retired blacksmith and may be able to comment about options with metal. Anything we do come up has to be pretty vandalproof. This was meant to be a short but enthusiastic response, sorry, the enthusiasm got the better of me. P.S. My Smilie is not meant to be cool but a smile with glasses! 
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Liz
Feb 4th, 2007 - 11:02 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Hey, was that me you mentioned it to, Susan? I don't remamber a thing about it. I was probably still in shock at the "Cell Block H" fencing in the first place! Something on the fence might look ok (f it wasn't in primary colours). Totem poles sound good too. Could we incorporate lumps of copper smeltings in whatever we do? Liz |
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Roger
Feb 4th, 2007 - 11:07 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I was, initially, quite interested in the arch concept, having looked into it further, I am not. The arch tends to be used for churches and cemetaries, my initial response when I look at the original picture is a spooky graveyard. The local residents will be very interested in any addition at the entrances, I can just about see the "top" entrance from home and would not want an eyesore, those living closer will have even stronger feelings. I am quite sure that such a structure erected close to a public highway will require planning consent and the local residents opinion will be taken into consideration. We therefore need to be quite sympathetic to the local community. Iron has no place within the context of troopers hill that I am aware of, copper/brass do. I am intrigued by the idea of using wood, possible with some brass of copper inset into the structure, Susans idea of totems may be nearer the mark. Nothing is vandal proof, thats a real fact. Iron and steel will bend, wood will burn or get cut up. I would prefer to see 'distressed' wood rather than 'bent' steel. My final suggestion is to take some time to have a clear think about what can and should go at the entrances _after_ the new intepretation boards have been put in place. Also to consider how to incorporate a 'kissing gate' or similar into the entrance. Hopefully one that allows people easier access than the current one. (its **** hard for pregnant people to get through, for example!) |
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Liz
Feb 8th, 2007 - 8:51 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I saw something in the paper a while back about a new sculpture for the end of the Bristol to Bath Railway Path. It was vaguely arch-ish, being two railway tracks bending upwards and bursting into leaves at the ends, though it didn't meet in the middle. Not quite the right thing for us but ... if I could only find the picture ... it might spark a few imaginations. Liz |
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Roger
Feb 8th, 2007 - 10:37 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
well, Bristol is close to the sea, maybe something like http://www.threekingham.org.uk/assets/images/Walebone_Arch02.jpg would work? 
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Kite
Feb 9th, 2007 - 4:33 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Bit late coming in on this, but perhaps we should wait (well, of course we will anyway) and see what the field entrance looks like once its been opened up rather more - as it is due to be. I believe there are things like a style in the undergrowth that may give us more of a pointer. We may also find that it feels so open then that it doesn't need any emphasising. |
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Roger
Mar 21st, 2007 - 11:34 AM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Carol and I saw the wooden sign at the entrance to Royate Hill LNR and thought how lovely it looked. It's simply two huge planks of timber jointed together in a 'rustic' way with the relevant words carved deeply into it. I'll take a picture next time for those that might not have seen it. |
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Liz
Apr 13th, 2007 - 11:05 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
I think I have found someone who might be of interest: http://www.metalgnu.com/ He does railings, Gates etc: http://www.metalgnu.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1479 Whaddaya think? (Quick before the Council comes along and puts up the stuff they put round the allotments!) Liz |
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Susan
Apr 13th, 2007 - 11:18 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
Wow! I love his iguana - wonder whether he would be up for a common lizard. I think the fence in Burlington Rd looks as if is worth a visit. My A-Z is coming out tomorrow after the work party. See you tomorrow, Susan
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Rob
Apr 14th, 2007 - 10:11 PM |
Re: Troopers Hill entrance arch
As part of my discussions with Bristol Parks on Friday we decided that the gate from Troopers Hill Field to the Nature Reserve should be retained to give us the option of locking it if the gates/fence from the road on to the Field are damaged. It will normally be locked open as it is now. The current rotting fencing next to the gate will be replaced with new timber fencing to improve the appearance. There is no reason though why we shouldn't install some for of art work here later, either as part of a fence or as something free standing. Something like the type of thing Liz has suggested would be great. |
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